Langer: Proteas very good on paper

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Cape Town - Acting Australia head coach Justin Langer says they will not underestimate South Africa in their tri-series ODI clash at Guyana National Stadium on Tuesday.

The South Africans lost their opening match of the series by four wickets to hosts the West Indies, while the Australians comfortably beat the Windies by six wickets in their opening match.

The Proteas were bundled out for a meagre 188 in their first game, with spinner Sunil Narine claiming six wickets.

Langer, who is currently standing in for regular head coach Darren Lehmann, says the South Africans are still a dangerous side.

“They’ve got a very good team on paper,” he said at the pre-match press conference. “The fact that they were beaten the other day means this will be an important game for them.

“Every game is important but I think they’ll try to run us ragged in the field. We’ll have to be on top of our game with our fielding. They’re brilliant runners between (the wickets). South Africa are very fit, they’ll run hard and they’ll field well.”

South African spin duo Imran Tahir and Aaron Phangiso took five wickets between them in the clash against the Windies - something Langer has taken note of.

“They’ve got a couple of spin options so well review them,” the former Australian opening batsman said.

But the Australians also have two spin aces up their sleeve, with Nathan Lyon and Adam Zampa claiming six scalps as the West Indies were bowled out for 116 in Guyana.

Langer had kinds words for promising leg-spinner Zampa, who took 3/16 in 5.3 overs.

“I think his control was excellent. I like that he’s got a bit of variation, his leg-spinners, his stock balls, are very good.

“He bowled a couple of good wrong ’uns (googlies). And he’s quite calm. He’s a different sort of cat... he’s very competitive and really confident at the moment of where he’s landing the ball," said Langer.

Tuesday’s match between South Africa and Australia at the Providence Stadium in Guyana is scheduled to start at 19:00 (SA time).

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